Project Ideas

[Lin Rhea]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself because I have so many things going but I will get back to this one even if it takes awhile. I thought you might be interested in seeing this buggy steering mechanism. I also have the axle, which is more than likely wrought iron, for some axe head or maybe other projects. The springs can make blades, the small straps and other wrought bars can be mixed into a billet with the spring steel and make some cool Damascus.
 

This thread may go to the bottom but I'll bump it up when I can. It's this kind of projects that get me excited.

[DANA HOLMAN]

Lin, I'll bump it up for you, your right about making knives out of the springs, Ive made alot of knives out of a set of 1890's buggy springs with a good end product. I also have the axel and it is wrought iron, Ive made one guard with it. but never made damaus, keep us posted with what you come up with.
Dana

[Lin Rhea]

I would normally not use any unknown steel in a blade but I'm sure of my process and will always test to observe the results before proceeding. I tried to save the wood that you see in the picture but its too far gone. It would be neat to make the whole thing from the buggy parts.

[Roughcountry]

I've tripped over some of that stuff while out hunting. I think I'll plan a few return hunts in the same area. Please take several pictures Lin, I need a road map for when I trip over that kinda stuff again.

[Lin Rhea]

OK Robin, I will. I just glued two slices of the wood together to see if I can somehow salvage it. If the glue joint is too obvious I wont use it but I wont know until I try it.

[killinstuff]

Interesting to think that someone banged on that metal with a hammer 120 years ago to make it what is currently is and now you're going to bang on it again to make something different.

[gudspelr]

Very cool, Lin. I absolutely love wrought iron and only have a little of it. I will also be one of the curious ones for your process with these metals. I know of guys who have had blades crack when doing wrought/carbon San Mai because of the differing characteristics. But then, the carbon migration is one more thing to have to deal with during the higher heat cycles of welding. That being said, I'm willing to bet it looks really cool when done and you've already thought about all the difficulties    .

On the wood note, I think it would be fantastic if you could salvage the wood for a handle. Not sure this is what you're going for, but...here's what came to mind. If the wood isn't thick enough, maybe you could make a frame handle, using either some if the wrought or the finished Damascus between the wood scales?  I know it would be a tough one, but holding the handle parts together with some domed wrought pins would be something else. At least in my mind, anyway.... Whatever you end up with, this is going to be awesome        


Jeremy

[tippit]

Lin,
When I can find it, old pitted buggy spring is one of my favorites for a really rustic looking blade...

   

[tomsm44]

This looks like a fun thread.  Are you saying the usable wood is too thin for a full tang, or am I misunderstanding?  I was just going to say a frame handle with a wrought iron grip frame would be pretty cool. I agree it'd be neat to do the whole thing from the buggy parts.

[Alexander13]

Looking forward to seeing how this evolves.

[Lin Rhea]

I cut the buggy springs apart and forged a small knife from a small section of the springs. In the center of the picture there are two pieces. The one on the right is the spring and the one on the left is wrought iron from the buggy's tongue.
   

I had a little while in the shop so I forged the blade.
   

I decided to try to forge a guard from the end of the wrought iron bar and pinch it down to cut it.
   
   
I rough ground and hardened the blade and it seemed to do great.  I'll do some testing and see how that goes.

[D.Ellis]

Cool. Nice forging. Do you use coal exclusively or do you also use a gas forge?
Darcy  

[ymountainman]

Thanks for posting Mr. Lin. I really enjoy this stuff!

[madness522]

Looks like you hot punched the guard before you cut it off. Are you going to hot fit it or is that even possible?  I like the profile of the knife so far.  Can't wait to see more.

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys.

Darcy, I use gas at home although I have coal too. I sometimes will use it for certain things. The more I use coal and get used to the type of heat, the more I like it.

Barry, I usually hot punch but I actually drilled a small hole and drifted it this time. It is just an opening that I can file to size later.

This spring steel dates from the late 1800's I think. No way to be sure but it is early from our perspective. I was interested in seeing, if possible, any visible characteristics of the steel due to it's being early in steel's manufacturing. It does show a visible pattern in the material and the hardening line has some "banding" along it.
   
Notice the "feathering" out in front of the banding along the hardening line. In my opinion, this would indicate a less refined means of making steel. In other words, I don't think it is homogenous but is carbonized by forging. That said, it is testing to be consistently hard throughput the edge with no soft spots at all.
   

[Roughcountry]

I'm sure enjoying your pictures Lin
Thanks for taking us along.

[gudspelr]

That's fantastic     . I was actually just thinking about this thread the other day and looking forward to the next installment. I'm really going to enjoy this, Lin. I'm wondering what a short etch would do to that hardening line and any other little character that steel might have...?

   


Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

I will try a short etch and see Jeremy. It will be later today or this weekend. Thanks.

[Ric O'Shay]

This, is interesting.    

[Steve Nuckels]

This is my kind of knife!  I like using reclaimed old materials.

Very interesting.

Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Museum & Foundation
ABS AP